Accessing Management Measures that Support Deployment of Wave and Tidal Energy Devices
As the marine renewable energy (MRE) industry moves beyond deployment of individual wave and tidal energy devices towards arrays, certain risks of MRE devices on the marine environment are not well understood and have led to onerous monitoring requirements placed on device developers.
A workshop was held in May 2017 with researchers, regulators, and developers to create the basis for the tool shown below. In consultation with the research and regulatory communities, it was agreed that applying a set of robust management measures could act as safeguards for marine animals and habitats until available monitoring data allows for determining the level of risk from MRE devices. At that point, measures could be dialed back or removed, if warranted. More information on the workshop and input for the tool can be found here.
The Management Measures Tool for Marine Energy shows management (or mitigation) measures from past or current MRE projects as a reference to help manage potential risks from future projects and allow them to move forward in the face of uncertainty, or until a risk can be retired. Additional management measures are regularly added by the OES-Environmental team. In addition to the searchable tool below, the information can be downloaded here. The download file includes additional details not shown below, including comments from stakeholders on past experience, cost of management measures, and when a management measure is needed.
View the instructions document for more in-depth details and examples on how to use the Management Measure Tool for Marine Energy or check out this webinar for an overview and demonstration of the tool.
Last updated January 2023
| Technology | Project Phase | Stressor | Receptor | Management Measure | Advantages | Challenges | Project Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Changes in sediment dynamics
Sediment disturbance disrupting water clarity that results in smothering of fish spawning grounds. |
Fish
|
Design feature
Minimize the amount of structure on the seabed. |
Minimizes the changes in sediment dynamics due to presence of structure on the seabed. |
Can present financial, logistical, or design challenges to technology developer to alter design of device/moorings. |
OpenHydro and SSE Renewables 2013, Brims Tidal Array |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from landfall cables on sensitive species. |
Fish
Demersal fish |
Design feature
Bundle cables together to reduce field vectors. |
MeyGen 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project | ||
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)
Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site. |
Fish
|
Monitoring
Monitoring and reporting of MNNS. |
Reduces/removes risk of transfer of non-native species. |
PLAT-O at EMEC | |
| Wave | Operation & Maintenance | Dissipation of wave energy
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Habitat
Benthic invertebrates |
Monitoring
Benthic and intertidal surveys focused on indicator species, species assemblage, community structure and ecosystem function. |
Reduce scientific uncertainty. |
Determining impacts against natural variability may be difficult. |
European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2019, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2011, The Marine Institute 2016, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Xodus Group 2012, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, EMEC Shapinsay Sound Scale Tidal Test Site, Galway Bay Test Site, Pelamis Wave Power P2 Demonstration at EMEC |
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
Modifications to prey distribution and abundance (to include for other receptors) resulting in changes to foraging behaviour. |
Marine Mammals
|
Monitoring
Modelling to predict the interaction between changes in tidal flow, flux and turbulence structure and animals. |
Reduces scientific uncertainty so appropriate management measures can be employed |
Limited management measures available to minimize interaction despite modelling to fully predict interaction. |
|
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables. |
Marine Mammals
Cetaceans |
Monitoring
Fishing debris detected during routine inspections of mooring lines and cables will be removed. |
Remove/reduce risk of entanglement Low cost measure, implemented as part of standard O&M procedures. Regular monitoring will benefit system performance in addition to addressing environmental risks (e.g., early detection of damage or failures in the system). |
||
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Barrier to movement
Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment. |
Reptiles
|
Monitoring
Monitoring of existing developments. |
Reduces scientific uncertainty. |
Can be complex and costly. |
|
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Barrier to movement
Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment. |
Benthic
|
Mitigation
Adherence to vessel management plan. |
Minimises the potential interaction between animals and construction or maintenance vessels. |
OpenHydro and SSE Renewables 2013, Aquatera 2017, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, Brims Tidal Array, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from landfall cables on sensitive species. |
Benthic
Benthic invertebrates |
Design feature
Maximise length of any drilled boreholes. |
MeyGen 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project | ||
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Birds
|
Design feature
Site selection. |
Minimizes significance of interaction. |
ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array | |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation | Lighting
Potential for light from installation vessels to adversely affect nocturnal and migratory species. |
Birds
Seabirds |
Mitigation
Limit lighting on installation vessels to that safe for navigational purposes only. |
Reduce impact on sensitive species. A lot of the light on navigational vessels is superflous so would not detract from their safe operation. |
Xodus Group 2019, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site | |
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Collision risk
Potential for collision with turbine blades. |
Fish
Elasmobranch |
Mitigation
Implement a 'soft start'/cut in speed management approach at sensitive sites, i.e. those where the potential for collisions is high. |
Soft start could reduce risk by allowing animals time to move away from the turbine. Cut in speed management could be used to reduce risk during periods of known higher activity in sensitive species. Low cost option, adopted for other activities (e.g., piling). |
Unclear if this offers additional mitigation as many devices power up gradually anyway. Implementation of this measure could result in a loss of revenue for the developer. |
MeyGen 2012, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2014, SAE Renewables 2011, Tidal Lagoon Power 2017, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Atlantis Resources Corporation at EMEC, Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL) |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in device mooring lines and cables. |
Fish
Elasmobranch, large fish |
Design feature
Maintain taut mooring lines. |
Remove/reduce risk of entanglement. Regular inspections can provide insight to interaction with marine animals. |
Mooring design driven by technical and commercial consideration. Regular ROV/dive or drop-down camera inspections required. |
Aquatera Ltd 2011, Laminaria 2018, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, Wello Penguin at EMEC, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, PacWave South Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Changes in sediment dynamics
Reduced visibility impacting prey detection and obstruction avoidance. |
Habitat
|
Mitigation
Best practice methodologies to reduce resuspension of sediment during cable burial or device foundation/mooring installation. |
Orbital Marine Power 2014, Foubister 2005, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2011, The Marine Institute 2016, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array, Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project, Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), Galway Bay Test Site | ||
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Habitat Loss
Direct loss of protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed communities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings or support structures on the seabed. |
Habitat
Benthic invertebrates, demersal fish |
Design feature
Minimise footprint of anchors/foundations. |
Could reduce effects on sensitive habitats. |
May impact technical considerations. |
Low 2012, OpenHydro and SSE Renewables 2013, SSE Renewables 2011, Brims Tidal Array, Westray South Tidal Project |
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Collision risk
Potential for collision with turbine blades. |
Marine Mammals
|
Mitigation
Selective structural and blade coatings (e.g., colors to aide detection). |
Possible that this will aid detection of subsea structures and help reduce risk. Can be captured in early project design for a small one-off cost. |
Could result in 'attraction', increasing risk of collision. Uncertainty around how animals use visual cues, further research needed. Other sensory organs are often more important for seals. Use of such measures may be limited to conform with IALA standards. |
Xodus Group 2019, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)
Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site. |
Marine Mammals
|
Mitigation
Establish and implement a Biofouling Management Plan. |
Reduce/remove risk of transfer of non-native species. |
Lack of industry specific guidance. |
European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) 2014, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Displacement
Potential displacement of essential activities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures. |
Reptiles
|
Design feature
Site selection (taking into account cumulative impact of other developments). |
Minimizes risk of development causing displacement by avoiding migratory routes or other important sites. |
||
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Benthic
|
Design feature
Site selection. |
Minimises significance of interaction. |
ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array | |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Habitat Loss
Direct loss of protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed communities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings or support structures on the seabed. |
Benthic
Benthic invertebrates, demersal fish |
Design feature
Site selection to avoid sensitive or protected sub-littoral seabed communities. |
This could reduce/remove effects on sensitive habitats. |
Orbital Marine Power 2014, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array | |
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Collision risk
Potential for collision with turbine blades. |
Birds
Diving birds |
Mitigation
Design proportion of swept area to structure area to minimise collision risk. |
This could reduce the likelihood/consequence of potential collision events. |
Can be a high cost associated with this. Can present financial/ logistical/ design challenges to technology developer to alter design of device. |
MeyGen 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Vessel disturbance
Potential for disturbance from project vessels. |
Birds
Shore-nesting birds |
Mitigation
Avoidance of sensitive shore nesting areas during sensitive periods with appropriate clearance distance. |
Reduces potential effects. Relatively low-cost measure. |
OpenHydro and SSE Renewables 2013, Orbital Marine Power 2014, Foubister 2005, Xodus Group 2019, Magallanes Renovables 2020, Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Orbital Marine Power 2014, Aquatera 2017, The Marine Institute 2016, THETIS Energy 2009, Orbital Marine Power 2018, Brims Tidal Array, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC, Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project, Tocardo InToTidal at EMEC, Galway Bay Test Site, Torr Head Project, Orbital Marine Power O2 at EMEC | |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Contamination
Potential for oil spill incident resulting from the influence of unfavourable weather conditions. |
Fish
|
Mitigation
Vessel activities to occur in suitable weather conditions. |
Reduces the chance for oil spill to the environment. |
MeyGen 2012, The Marine Institute 2016, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , Galway Bay Test Site, Pelamis Wave Power P2 Demonstration at EMEC | |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Habitat Loss
Direct loss of protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed communities due to the presence of devices and associated moorings or support structures on the seabed. |
Fish
Demersal fish |
Design feature
Micrositing of offshore infrastructure to avoid sensitive habitats and minimise footprint. |
Could reduce/remove effects on sensitive habitats. Low cost measure at single device or small-scale array. |
Foubister 2005, Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Laminaria 2018, The Marine Institute 2016, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site, Galway Bay Test Site | |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Contamination
Potential for accidental or unplanned events which could lead to contamination of the marine environment. |
Habitat
|
Mitigation
Material selection - lubricants, coolants, hydraulic fluids etc. selected with low ecotoxicity levels and biodegradable. |
Reduces/removes risk of contamination/pollution from materials which may have escaped structure. |
Use of lower toxicity materials may compromise performance or impact other technical issues (e.g., fluid changes.) |
Foubister 2005, MeyGen 2012, Xodus AURORA 2010, The Marine Institute 2016, THETIS Energy 2009, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , HS1000 at EMEC, Galway Bay Test Site, Torr Head Project |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation | Barrier to movement
Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment. |
Marine Mammals
|
Design feature
Array/mooring configuration designed to avoid migratory routes or other important sites |
Minimizes risk of development acting as a barrier to movement by avoiding migratory routes or other important sites |
May be inconsistent with optimal layout of the development for exploitation of the energy source. Can be a costly measure when scaling up to larger arrays. |
Aquamarine Power Ltd 2011, Davison and Mallows 2005, Oyster 800 at EMEC, Strangford Lough - MCT (SeaGen) |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation | Contamination
Accidental release of contaminants during installation including diesel fuel, oil hydraulic fluids, etc. |
Habitat
|
Mitigation
Best practice methodologies to reduce risk of accidental release of contaminants. |
Reduces risk of contamination/pollution escaping from structure. |
DP Energy Ltd. 2013, West Islay Tidal Project Energy Park | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Vessel disturbance
Potential for disturbance from project vessels. |
Marine Mammals
|
Mitigation
Use smaller vessels for maintenance purposes. |
Reduces potential effects and is a relatively low cost measure. |
Aquatera Ltd 2011, Laminaria 2018, Wello Penguin at EMEC, EMEC Billia Croo Grid-Connected Wave Test Site | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Habitat Creation
The introduction of infrastructure and artificial substrates will provide habitat and artificial refuges. |
Reptiles
|
Monitoring
Monitor near-field behaviours. |
Informs understanding of potential positive impacts from colonisation and use of the project infrastructure. Reduces scientific uncertainty around collision risk, displacement, and other impacts. Increased value/fecundity of commercially important species. |
Can be expensive and difficult to deliver in practice. May require additional licensing (e.g., echosounders). |
|
| Wave | Operation & Maintenance | Dissipation of wave energy
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Benthic
Benthic invertebrates |
Monitoring
Modelling to predict the interaction between wave energy and animals. |
Reduces scientific uncertainty so appropriate management measures can be employed. |
Limited management measures available to minimise interaction despite modelling to fully predict interaction. |
|
| Wave, Tidal | Installation | Barrier to movement
Potential barrier to movement due to the physical presence of devices and associated moorings/support structures, cables and electrical equipment. |
Birds
|
Monitoring
Array installation carried out in phases. |
Allows close monitoring to observe any unexpected effects. |
GlaxoSmithKlineMontrose 2012, GSK Montrose Tidal Array | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in lost fishing gear or other equipment trapped on infrastructure. |
Birds
Diving birds |
Compliance
Ensure standard notifications of loss of fishing gear in region notified to operators. Reporting of entanglement events. |
Good practice for emergency preparedness. Help track effects/interaction with marine animals. |
Chances of lost fishing gear being reported is reportedly low. |
|
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Operation & Maintenance, Decommissioning | Changes in sediment dynamics
Reduced visibility impacting prey detection and obstruction avoidance. |
Fish
|
Monitoring
Modelling to predict the interaction between changes in sediment dynamics and animals. |
Reduces scientific uncertainty so appropriate management measures can be employed. |
Limited management measures available to minimise interaction despite modelling to fully predict interaction. |
MeyGen 2012, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from landfall cables on sensitive species. |
Fish
Demersal fish |
Design feature
Bury cables where possible and viable. |
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2011, Tidal Lagoon Power 2017, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL), PacWave South Test Site | ||
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Marine Non-Native Species (MNNS)
Potential for introduction of MNNS which can have an adverse impact on the native species at the site. |
Fish
|
Mitigation, Design feature
Antifouling application on components such as the pile and rodos blades. |
Helps prevent colonization of the device and structure, avoiding forming a stepping stone for non-native species. |
Royal Haskoning and Sea Generation (Kyle Rhea) Ltd. 2013, Kyle Rhea Tidal Stream Array Project | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | EMF
Impacts of electromagnetic fields from subsea cables on sensitive species. |
Habitat
Benthic invertebrates |
Design feature
Install cable protection, armor, rock placement, or other cable protection. |
Reduce the level of EMF to surrounding water column and therefore any potential effects. Reduces 'snagging risk' for vessels. Creation of artificial habitat leading to greater fecundity in species. |
May have an impact on surrounding benthic habitats and sensitive species. Creation of artificial habitat may cause aggregation effect causing greater impact of EMF. Uncertainty around the need for and efficacy of this measure. Increased cost to project. ...Read moreMay have an impact on surrounding benthic habitats and sensitive species. Creation of artificial habitat may cause aggregation effect causing greater impact of EMF. Uncertainty around the need for and efficacy of this measure. Increased cost to project. Reduced possibilities for decommissioning in future. Direct disturbance/loss of benthic communities. Read less |
Foubister 2005, Orbital Marine Power 2010, MeyGen 2012, ScottishPower Renewables 2010, DP Energy Ltd. 2013, EMEC Fall of Warness Grid-Connected Tidal Test Site, Orbital Marine Power SR250 at EMEC, MeyGen Tidal Energy Project , Sound of Islay Demonstration Tidal Array, West Islay Tidal Project Energy Park |
| Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Changes in water flow
The potential wider or secondary effects on protected or sensitive sub-littoral seabed due to removal or alteration of energy flow arising from devices and moorings or support structures. |
Marine Mammals
|
Design feature
Site selection. |
Minimizes significance of interaction. |
ScottishPower Renewables 2012, Ness of Duncansby Tidal Array | |
| Wave, Tidal | Operation & Maintenance | Entanglement
Potential for marine animals to become entangled in lost fishing gear or other equipment trapped on infrastructure. |
Marine Mammals
Cetaceans |
Monitoring
Ensure standard notifications of loss of fishing gear in region notified to operators. Reporting of entanglement events. |
Good practice for emergency preparedness. |
Chances of lost fishing gear being reported is reportedly low. |
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 2020, PacWave South Test Site |
| Wave, Tidal | Installation, Decommissioning | Changes in sediment dynamics
Reduced visibility impacting prey detection and obstruction avoidance. |
Reptiles
|
Mitigation
Best practice methodologies to reduce resuspension of sediment during cable burial or device foundation/mooring installation. |